Ambient, task and accent light, and why a single bright ceiling light rarely works.
Think in layers
Good restaurant lighting is built from three layers: ambient light for the overall level, task light where people read menus and eat, and accent light that picks out materials and art.
Keep the table the brightest place
Guests should look good and food should look good. A soft, warm pool of light on the table with a dimmer ambient level around it makes the room feel intimate.
Use controls
A lunch service and a late dinner need different light. Scenes programmed into a simple control system let staff change the mood in one touch and save energy.
Plan it with the interior
Fixtures, ceilings and materials should be designed together. Lighting added at the end is usually a compromise.
